Hamas says no phase two for truce while Israeli 'violations' continue

Israel should have reopened Rafah crossing and allowed more aid into Gaza, group says

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Hamas said on Dec 9 that the Gaza ceasefire plan cannot proceed to its second phase as long as Israeli "violations" persist, and called on mediators to pressure Israel to respect the agreement.

The US-sponsored ceasefire, in effect since Oct 10, halted the war that began after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023.

But it remains fragile, as Israel and Hamas accuse each other almost daily of breaches.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official said that the authorities would allow the Allenby crossing on the Israeli-controlled border between Jordan and the occupied West Bank to reopen on Dec 10 to aid trucks destined for Gaza for the first time since late September.

Hamas political bureau member Hossam Badran accused Israel of failing to respect the Gaza ceasefire deal, noting that under its terms, Israel should have reopened the Rafah crossing with Egypt and increased the volume of aid entering the territory.

He urged the mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and the US, to pressure Israel "to complete the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement".